Archives for 19 July 2018

Today's posts from our featured Port Elizabeth Blogger:
Guest review from: Geoff Tribe.: I can recommend Dempsey’s for a quiet, secure stay in PE within 10 minutes from the City Centre. Situated on a large property with ample secure parking and with a number of restaurants nearby if required. Hosts Kathy and Jack are welcoming but unobtrusive. Geoff Tribe booked out of Dempseys on 11/07/2018. Place your Dempseys guest review here.
Source: Dempsey's.
Dreamy flying over Alexandria Dunefields, Eastern Cape, SA.: Dempsey’s Blog has been slumbering. Here’s a dream that woke us up:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyRE3qLK3yE William Fraser: Published on Dec 8, 2015 Sling2 aircraft x6. The sequel to my first video of the flight, “Six Sling Formation”. GoPro footage : Jordan van Eeden. The unique Alexandria Dunefield stretches for a distance of fifty kilometres from Sundays River Mouth to Bushman’s River, and is one of the largest existing active coastal dunefields in the world. Situated on the Eastern Cape’s Sunshine Coast, the Alexandria Dunefields cover a total area of one hundred and forty two square kilometres. The dunefield displays an average width of about two and a half kilometres and some of the dunes are about a hundred and forty metres high. The Woody Cape section of the Addo Elephant National Park encompasses the Alexandria Dunefield. The dunefield and unspoilt coastline of mainly sandy beaches is flanked by Southern Coastal Forest with species such as coast coral trees, real yellowwoods, white stinkwoods and knobthorns in abundance. Wildlife occurring in the forest includes bushbuck, bushpig, the rare nocturnal tree dassie, vervet monkeys and blue duiker. Signs of leopard and brown hyena have been recorded in the forest and on forest margins but sightings of these elusive predators are few. Many bird species occur in the forest, including the Trumpeter Hornbill and Knysna Turaco. There have been sightings of the Ground Hornbill in grassland pastures adjacent to the forest. The marine section in Algoa Bay encompasses the Bird Island and the St Croix Island chain. These islands are vitally important for marine bird breeding colonies. Bird Island is home to the largest Cape Gannet breeding colony (some 160 000 birds) in the world while St. Croix houses the largest breeding colony of African … [Read more...]

Madibaz tennis team back in USSA top division: The Madibaz tennis team which won promotion to the A section at the recent University Sport South Africa tournament in Bloemfontein was (from left) Josh van Rensburg, Gareth Howell, Danielle Stander, Michael Carse, Ashleigh Garisch, Steward McLaren, Elaine van Zyl, Megan Reed, Kerry Pattinson and Tristan Fourie. Photo: Supplied The Madibaz tennis team will return to the A section of the University Sport South Africa tournament next year after earning promotion at the recent week held in Bloemfontein. Nelson Mandela University were unable to play in last year’s event because of student strikes and had to compete in the B section this year, despite an application to be included in the top division. Team coach Hennie de Klerk explained that the USSA regulations did not allow for a team to play in the A section if they had missed the previous tournament, adding that Wits “were in the same boat”. Overcoming extremely cold early-morning conditions in the Free State capital, he said Madibaz achieved their objective of getting back into the A section. “Going into the week, the team expected to win promotion because we are traditionally one of the country’s strong tennis universities,” said De Klerk. “For example, we were fifth the last time we competed in the A section.” This year, Madibaz faced tough opposition from teams such as Wits and the B sides from the Pretoria, Stellenbosch and Potchefstroom universities. De Klerk said the promotion was just reward for the work the players had put in. “We compete with some very strong varsities, who pour their resources into scooping up the top young talent in South Africa. “Free State won the event for the eleventh year in a row, giving you an idea of the emphasis they place on attracting top players, as well as coaching and conditioning experts. “However, our performance showed that we are competitive against the top sides. The whole team must be congratulated for their efforts. “They showed great character and grit to win some long three-set matches. There was good player support and pride in Mandela University,” De Klerk said. The outcome was particularly noteworthy given the players’ academic commitments. “A big challenge was that the tournament was held just after the mid-year exams. … [Read more...]